May 1st is right around the corner, so it’s time for another seasonal update. May Day marks the midpoint between the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, and Summer Solstice. This is a special day around the world. On the Celtic wheel of life, May Day is Beltane, the fire holiday that welcomes the beginning of summer and fertility. Making flower wreaths or crowns, May Baskets, and sharing outdoor picnics, May Pole dances and other outdoor activities are some ways to celebrate Beltane today.
May Day is also International Workers Day, honoring the working class in over 80 countries including the US and Canada. Trade and labor unions hold rallies, parades, picnics, and other forms of celebration to honor workers. Also called Labour Day or May Day in many countries, this holiday originated after the Haymarket Affair of 1886 when a worker strike in Chicago turned violent. The strike took place because in the early Industrial Age workers were often forced to work 12-hour days under harsh, unsafe conditions, and child labor was common. The Haymarket Affair paved the way for the 8-hour workday, end of child labor, fair wages, and the ability of the state to regulate safe working conditions.
My last reflection on May Day is about “mayday,” the distress call used by sailors in dire emergencies. The maritime call, mayday, is usually repeated three times to indicate imminent danger and the need for help. It derives from the French word m’aider, which means help me. As we approach May Day, a good question is, do I need help? Let’s take a deeper look at these concepts!
Seasonal Themes and Nuances
Fertility – It’s time to plant the garden and/or to plant ontological seeds via personal intention-setting. In this season, the sun’s warmth softens fertile ground for seedlings or small plants that will provide a delicious repast for summer and fall harvests. Journaling about goals, hopes, and dreams can help bring focus to that which we most want to create in the coming warmer days. Fertility is at the heart of Beltane celebrations, bringing partnership, connection, and mating into focus. For those who are married, engaged, or dating, this is a time to explore the nuances of partnership, togetherness, romance, and intimacy, and to imagine shared future goals. If not in a relationship, May Day can spark the opportunity to explore new friendships, join a group or club, or to rekindle relationships with old friends.
Honoring workers is a theme for this season too. If you are part of the workforce, is there something you want to celebrate about your work life on May Day? Would you like to share the celebration with co-workers, and if so, what does that look and feel like? Are you satisfied with your working conditions? If not, do you feel empowered to ask for the changes that would meet your needs? The self-employed may want to honor the day with some time off for May Day fun and relaxation. If you are seeking work, this is an optimal time to create a vision board. The process is playful and puts a focus on desired words and imagery describing your ideal work situation. Many retirees work as caregivers for partners, animals, or grandkids. They also start unique small businesses, work part-time, take adult education classes, or volunteer for causes they believe in. We can honor our friends in the workforce with a card, call, email, or text to say, Happy May Day or thank you for being part of the workforce!
Mayday – Help me is a phrase to be uttered in a crisis or dire emergency. We all want to sail along on calm seas, but when things get choppy (which they inevitably will at some point), the need to ask for help will arise. Caregivers are wise to remember how difficult it is for care recipients to ask for help. Care recipients are wise to remember that their caregivers may need help too when the going gets tough. On May Day, remember that an aspect of our shared humanity is our inter-dependence and connectedness. We can and do help each other in a myriad of ways that sometimes may feel like second nature and other times, takes great effort and even courage. Caregivers and care recipients can use May Day to discuss the different ways help is (or might be) needed now (or in the future). Having an honest conversation about feelings and needs before a mayday call is important. It will help to deepen communication, improve the relationship, and increase feelings of understanding and care. It will also help to avert and avoid a crisis.
The Seasonal Soup Kitchen
This year one of my goals is to celebrate Wayne’s legacy. Sharing a hearty bowl of soup, a crusty loaf of bread, and good conversation was Wayne’s way to celebrate. Making and sharing soup with others is an act of kindness, and while I can’t make soup for you all, I can share soup recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends cookbook. This Moroccan Carrot Soup was chosen because of its bright orange color and savory, vibrant flavors. Perfect for the beginning of summer. Enjoy!
- 1 T. olive oil
- 1 tsp. fennel seeds
- 1½ lbs. carrots sliced
- ¼ inch thick
- ½ lb. sweet potatoes, peeled & diced
- 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
- 5 cups water
- 1 T. tamari
- 2 T. white rice
- ¼ tsp. curry powder
- ¼ tsp. ground coriander
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lemon, juiced
In a large pot heat oil over medium heat. Add fennel seeds and cook, stirring often until fragrant, 2-3 min. Add carrots, sweet potatoes, and apple. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add water, rice, tamari, and spices. Bring to a boil, cover, simmer 20 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Puree, add lemon juice & black pepper. Serve. Yield 4-6 servings.
To Serve or Not to Serve?
We all find ourselves in service to others at some point in life. Some more than others. This section of the newsletter will invite you to reflect on the many surprising ways you live a life of service (whether you are aware of it or not). Let’s remember that one meaning of the noun “service” is to provide an act of help. Grab your journal or sit down with your partner or friend to talk about these prompts. Our second installment was featured in the Spring Newsletter and focused on being in service to our own unique calling. This season’s topic is service to a partner, mate, or spouse. For those not currently in a relationship, these prompts may be useful to process a former relationship or provide food for thought if a relationship is desired in the future. For those dedicated to solo life, these prompts can be applied to people we partner with for school, work, hobbies, or projects.
- What does “being in service to (or helping) my partner” really mean? What form does my service (or help) take? Is it a practical, grounded activity, physical touch, companionship; intimacy, spoken words; energetic support; financial support; providing sustenance or caregiving? What?
- How does my partner show up in service for me? What form does their service (or help) take?
- Am I comfortable asking my partner for help? If not, why not? If so, when was the last time I did that? What was the response? Might there be a different way to ask for help, or a need to ask for help more or less often?
- Is my partner comfortable receiving the help I offer? If you’re not sure, ask them. Similarly, am I comfortable receiving help they offer? If not, why not?
- Has the way I show up in service for my partner changed over time? Are the changes working for both of us? If not, how can we move forward in a positive way to refresh or reinvigorate the relationship? If so, are there other ways to serve/help each other now and going forward?
On the Blog: The latest post in the Long Covid Series is LC, MCAS, and Measles, Oh My! “X” is for Crossing parts 1,2, and 3 are available in the ABC’s for Living Well.
Quotes for Season: “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King
“As full of spirit as the month of May, and as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer” ~ William Shakespear
May all beings be safe, well, happy, and content.